Officials: Suicide bomber sat in front row during prayer, detonated self. Lady Reading Hospital calls for blood donations. Authorities conducting rescue operation.
72 dead in suicide bombing at crowded mosque in Police Lines, Peshawar. Explosion took place in central hall during Zuhr prayer, roof collapsed. Suicide attacker sat in front row, detonated self. Imam of mosque killed. TTP claims responsibility.
9 more bodies retrieved, death toll at 72. Explosion occurred at 1 PM in mosque central hall. Suicide attacker in front row during Zuhr prayer. Imam of mosque among those killed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Peshawar to assess the situation following a blast at a mosque. He was given a comprehensive briefing on the incident and later visited the injured individuals at the Lady Reading Hospital in the city. Accompanied by several high-ranking officials including the Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister met with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari to discuss the attack on the mosque.
Inspector General Ansari informed the Prime Minister that investigations are ongoing to determine how the attack occurred and how the attacker was able to enter the vicinity. He stated that the origin and entry point of the attacker are still unknown. The police chief added that there are family quarters located inside the Police Lines and the attacker could have been residing in the area.
A notification from the Additional Inspector General Quarter stated that access to the Peshawar Police Lines for guests is prohibited and any violation will result in strict consequences. The notice instructed the guards at the gate and security personnel to remain vigilant and on high alert.
Rescue 1122 officials announced that two additional bodies were retrieved from the rubble and five people were rescued from the wreckage. The rescue spokesperson, Bilal Faizi, stated that two injured and three deceased individuals were retrieved. The Lady Reading Hospital received 157 injured people and 44 dead bodies after the blast, with around 65 injured still receiving treatment. According to the hospital spokesperson, Muhammad Asim, most of the injured and deceased were police officers, and some were in critical condition. The hospital urged citizens to donate blood for the victims.
The funeral prayer for 27 victims was held with the presence of the Corp Commander of Peshawar, the Inspector General of Police, and the Commandant of Frontier Corps. The police paid their respects to the fallen individuals and heightened security measures were implemented around the Police Lines area.
پشاور پولیس لائنز مسجد دھماکے میں شہید ہونیوالے پولیس اہلکاروں کی نماز جنازہ پولیس لائنز میں سرکاری اعزاز کیساتھ ادا کردی گئی pic.twitter.com/IPRkBWJI0p
— Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (@CSKPOfficial) January 30, 2023
27 شہداء پولیس کی نماز جنازہ ملک سعد شہید پولیس لائن پشاور میں پورے سرکاری اعزاز کے ساتھ ادا کر دی گئی،
اس موقع پر پولیس کے چاق و چوبند دستے نے سلامی پیش کی۔#Peshawarblast #Peshawarunderattack #Peshawar pic.twitter.com/l7kQBFdskr
— Capital City Police Peshawar (@PeshawarCCPO) January 30, 2023
وزیراعظم شہبازشریف کی پولیس لائنز پشاور کی مسجد میں خود کش دھماکے کی شدید مذمت۔
وزیراعظم کی شہداءکے درجات کی بلندی، اہل خانہ کے لیے صبر اور زخمیوں کی جلد صحت یابی کی دعا۔
”خیبرپختونخوا میں امن وامان کی بگڑتی صورتحال پر جامع حکمت عملی اپنائیں گے۔“: وزیراعظم شہبازشریف pic.twitter.com/wuy1T2DjVb
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) January 30, 2023